The company announced Thursday that it has acquired life rights to the leader and chief songwriter of the Beach Boys and is developing a movie based on his life. River Road also acquired rights to Wilson's wife's story.

Oren Moverman, who was nominated for an Academy Award for best screenplay for "The Messenger," is writing the script.

River Road's Bill Pohlad and John Wells Productions are producing.

Moverman is now working on an untitled project about Nirvana singer Kurt Cobain for Working Title and Universal.